Programme gave James the X Factor

X Factor contestant James Hughes was back at St Aidan's High

Former X Factor contestant James Hughes visited his old school to meet St Aidan’s High pupils going on the Prince’s Trust Achieve programme.

The programme helps vulnerable young people who are struggling at school to overcome challenges and gain new skills.

James took part in the programme two years ago and says it gave him the confidence to enter X Factor where he reached judges house.

He said: “The X Factor experience is unforgettable, I’m going to take so much from it, it has given me a platform and it’s just what I do with it now.

“It was great going back to school to speak to the young people who are now set to take part in the Achieve programme and tell them what I took from it, which was confidence and individuality, and I think it will be good for them.”